Wow! What a weekend this has been at the Charlotte Bluegrass Festival. It was memorable to say the least, and in some ways, there are things that I hope never happen again at that festival. Let’s get to the highlights:
Billy Strings – As this was pretty much a last-minute booking on one of Billy’s off days during his tour, he wanted to play at the first festival that he attended when he was four years old. The show was phenomenal. As Billy can read a crowd extremely well, and he knew that the regulars at the festival want to hear to old standards (while the Billy-goats will dance to anything that he plays), the extended set consisted mostly of songs by Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, the Stanley Brothers, Jimmy Martin, and Larry Sparks. He did throw in a few originals, such as “Dust in a Baggie” and “Red Daisy,” which have a classic bluegrass feel to them. His stepfather Terry Barber came up for a few songs, and Junior Sisk came up to sing a beautiful duet of “Love Me Darlin’, Just Tonight.”
The crowd was twice the size usually found each year at the festival, which meant there was a lot of security, which the regulars are not used to. Add to that we were told the gates would open at 8:00 am, but the couldn’t get in until noon due to the soundcheck. Additionally, the park had let people come in a week early to set up chairs under the pavilion without letting people like me who purchased a three-day pass of that, so we sat in the far-away bleachers or planted lawn chairs ain the mud (yes, it rained all the night before up until noon, so it was like a miniature Woodstock). Moreover, when Billy came on, everyone that was sitting in lawn chairs had to remove them and stand. It was a clusterf**k, to say the least.
While the show was fantastic, it ended on a sad note, as Billy’s mother passed away the next morning. I ask you to keep Billy and his family on your prayers.
Junior Sisk – One of the best traditional bluegrass artists out today. The Billy-goat crowd (by the time Sisk came one, the Billy-goats were crowding the front of the stage) were appreciative of him, whooping and hollering after each song like the older bluegrassers usually do. Sisk put on a great show as well, and the best part was when he announced on stage “If anyone here has a problem with Billy here, they have to talk to me first!”
Red Camel Collective – This is Junior Sisk’s backup band, and play great bluegrass on their own as well. Vocalist Heather Berry Mabe has a wonderful voice, and I recommend anyone looking for a fresh female voice in bluegrass to check her and her band out.
Edgar Loudermilk Band – Another great live band, Loudermilk’s material leans heavily on cowboy and western stories. I have gotten to know him good through the years of playing in the Michigan/Ohio area, though his band is from Georgia, and he loves to talk about fishing, hunting, and songwriting. His parents run the festival merchandise table, selling the special t-shirts for the event, although Billy Strings had his own commemorative shirts for the occasion (I had to snag one, of course).
David Mayfield Parade – What more can I say about this group of fun-loving and talented musicians? From the first time that they appeared at the festival back in 2023, they have been a festival favorite, and never fail to get the crowd motivated. They are also great guys to talk to, and I am glad to be their friend. I implore you to check out the band videos on YouTube, and get some of their CDs or vinyl! The band’s latest album Go Big and Go Home is phenomenal! You will not be disappointed.
Tennessee Bluegrass Band – Old-school bluegrass stylings, to say the least, which the regulars truly appreciate. The band wear matching red sport jackets, which makes them look like the ushers at a church or movie theater. However, their musicianship is excellent to say the least.
Kentucky Just Us – A bunch of younger musicians, I first saw them in January at the SPBGMA conference. While the vocals still needed some strength, the musicianship was wonderful.
Things like extra porta-johns and vendors were brought in because of the expected crowds at Billy’s show, and that was truly appreciated. Wes the promoter of the festival is attempting to book another bigger name bluegrass act for next year, but I have to be honest – I really appreciate the laid-back atmosphere of the previous years. Either way, I will be going next year no matter who is performing. It is my one musical escape from my job in the summer. Of course, with Billy performing, a lot of people were jealous of me.
Chew on it and comment.
Luegra 